Pittsburgh councilwoman Erika Strassburger introduced legislation Monday that would ban single-use plastic bags at retailers in the city.
It would also allow those retailers to add a minimum 15 cent fee to paper bags.
Christopher Mitchell, the city's litter specialist says plastic bags are the second most common item found among Pittsburgh's litter.
“Plastic bag make up eight percent of the liter out there, outside of cigarette butts, eight percent, that’s a significant number,” said Mitchell. “imagine if we could do something to prevent eight percent of that trash hitting the ground.”
The bill is similar to one that passed in Philadelphia last year.
“The actions of elected and other leaders today will have longstanding ramification for the children of the 21st century and generations to come,” Strassburger said in a statement. “The plastic bag ban represents one more step in Pittsburgh’s march toward a healthier, more sustainable future, and way from the polluting, throw-away society we have become all too accustomed to.”
Council will likely not vote on the bill for a number of weeks. If it passes, it would take effect 180 days later.